Starting QB controversy beginning to swirl for Lions

Gemma Karstens-Smith, Canadian Press

Jonathon Jennings is frustrated with how he’s been playing so far this CFL season, and his poor start may be leading to a quarterback controversy in Vancouver.

The B.C. Lions No. 1 pivot has yet to throw for more than 200 yards in a game this CFL season, and he was 15-for-24 for 105 yards with two interceptions in Winnipeg on Saturday as the Blue Bombers trounced B.C. 41-19.

“I’m very disappointed. I didn’t play up to my standards at all,” Jennings said. “Back to the drawing board once again. There’s no excuses, just got to find a way to get it done.”

This season’s start is a far cry from Jennings’ breakout year in 2016, where he passed for 5,226 yards.

“It seems crazy because I look back at 2015-2016, I played tremendous and then you get here and it’s just baffling for everyone,” the 25-year-old said Monday.

“This is just a bump in the road. I think it’s part of my growth.”

The quarterback is a pivotal position for any team’s psyche and confidence, said Lions coach Wally Buono.

“Quarterbacks go through tough spells,” he said. “At this point, (Jennings) isn’t playing his best football. We know that and I think he knows that, too.”

Buono added that he hasn’t yet made any decisions about who he’ll start this weekend.

The coaching staff are looking at various options for correcting mistakes and improving the team’s play following the Winnipeg game, he said.

“The game Saturday wasn’t good football, especially in the first half,” Buono said. “(Winnipeg) had a shot in the arm by the return of their starting quarterback (Matt Nichols) and they played like it. And we didn’t play at the level we should have.”

It was Nichols’ first game of the season after he injured his knee in training camp. He completed 16 of 29 pass attempts for 162 yards, including a touchdown toss to Darvin Adams.

The loss in Winnipeg saw the Lions fall to 1-2 on the season. The teams are set for a rematch in Vancouver on Saturday.

Whether B.C.’s veteran quarterback Travis Lulay could step in to take over the No. 1 role in that game remains to be seen, Buono said.

Lulay hasn’t played yet this year after having off-season knee surgery.

“He’ll definitely be in the lineup. What his role will be is to be determined,” Buono said.

Lulay expected to have a weekly check-in meeting with medical staff on Monday and said he’s feeling close to being able to handle a full workload.

Lately, he’s been working on conditioning but said he also has a role in keeping his teammate in check.

The 34-year-old said he’s supporting and pushing Jennings, and always being direct and honest with him.

“We’ve always had that relationship where we can just openly, bluntly talk about where we can improve, what you did well. So it goes both ways,” Lulay said.

He added that he feels for Jennings because there’s always an extra spotlight on a team’s quarterback.

“We gotta be able to have big broad shoulders because we carry a lot of the load,” Lulay said.

“When we win we probably take more of the credit. When we lose, we probably get more of the blame. That’s just the nature of our spot.”

according to you, my friend, there are not many qbs in the cfl who are ‘competent’ as defined by you. i wonder … who do you suggest should be playing in their place? elucidate and illuminate, please. we need you guidance.

Unfortunate situation for the Lions. Jennings just hasn’t worked out the way he looked like he was going to and Lulay couldn’t stay healthy. They had that guy who looked good in the preseason, he played excellent the 2nd half PS week 1, at historic McMahon. And as they say, if you can make it there you’ll take it anywhere!

Stampeding you are such a piece of talent your self. Even your mouth says it ( I’m a fool and I know it) he threw for w
A whole 105 2 interceptions and still loss. Wow your brain must be fried as the rest of the CFL fans are laughing their asses off at you. Would be a real shame if Ottawa come in and spanked your stampeders you would be left with nothing to say as anything can happen in the CFL. But come the 28th you will be going to your room speechless again. Oh and what happen last game against the Riders when we played you at home. As well didn’t we stop the stampeders 2 games in a row no TDs. Oops sorry Bo threw one to DC lmao.To bad you have such a hate on for the riders as you might have something that might make sense NOT LOL

I see where you are coming from. Unfortunately, That isn’t my comment. It’s some immature, cowardly rider fans trying to push a certain narrative of me.
Monitor this site long enough and it will become crystal clear who that person is

Lulay will not last long once he gets slammed a couple of times. Injury history does not show he can take a beating like he did in his younger days. If Jennings sits let Cody Fargardo show his stuff and maybe even the Cali kid who played lights out in preseason. Sooner or later someone will take the QB position and run with it in a big way.

No controversy, Jennings is simply NOT a starting QB, nor based on his play the last two seasons does he deserve to be. Jennings is 5 wins 14 losses in 2017 and the first 3 games of this season. He has three sub 200 yard passing games in 2018. Sit his ass on the bench (where it belongs), end of story.

Since Jennings became a QB for the Lions in 2015 against the top three teams in the West (Stamps, Eskimos, Bombers) his record is 3-15 in the regular season and playoffs. Jennings cannot consistently win against the top teams in the West; this just will not get the job done and is another reason there is no QB controversy and why Jennings should be relegated to backup QB status only. Jennings is a “scrub” QB just like Drew Willy.

First off to those who cant spell his name properly or just straight out disrespecting him. Its Jonathon Jennings, you neanderthals. Listen, to make this short and simple to Area51 specially. You have all comments about the situation but with no solution so why dont you go hide in a rubber room. I think the Doc most of dropped you on your head or shook the hell out of you like a rag doll. Thats why you lack character, respect and personality or class with in your DNA.
You come on every post blah blah this blah blah that. You have no solutions to anything no input that can help. Since your so intelligent about the game and players, why dont you come on here and tell us how it can be fixed. Instead of running your mouth like diarrhea. You so full of shit you can fertilize farms for a living. So go back to Area 51 like your handle with your hybrid alien ass.
As for red and green why dont you both comment about the subject about the post instead of going after each others throats like two little kindergarten kids fighting over green and red lego blocks. You guys make me laugh seriously. Just need to add another with you two and you would have Moe Curly and Larry the Three Stooges. You all need to get a life. Its ok kids time for a diaper change! Take a time out in the corner because you’ve been schooled. You guys probably use a calculator to solve the problem on the bottom for spam bot you uneducated Neanderthals.

All I know is that this guy passed for over 5000 yards and had over 100% QB efficiency rating in 2016. You just don’t fall on your head and forget how to play QB overnight. To cut him loose at age 25 would be foolhardy at best…more than enough time to “right the ship” (PS – I’m sure Lions fans remember Mike Reilly being traded to the Esks in 2013 for basically a bag of footballs).

All I know is that this guy passed for over 5000 yards and had over 100% QB efficiency rating in 2016. You just don’t fall on your head and forget how to play QB overnight. To cut him loose at age 25 would be foolhardy at best…more than enough time to “right the ship” (PS – I’m sure Lions fans remember Mike Reilly being traded to the Esks in 2013 for basically a bag of footballs).

Start Jarious Jackson..he knows his offense better then anyone on his roster and im sure can still throw a good deep ball..or have a package for Ricky Llyod who looks promising but dont throw him to the wolves

Jennings looked really good in 2016, but he’s fallen off the map since then.
Reminds me of Casey Printers.
Printers started off great, then flooped his NFL audition, became a disappointment, then quickly became a disaster in Hamilton